Wire-drawing machine.



L. C. SMITH. WIRE DRAWING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED JULYe, 1903.

Patented Jan.3,191`1.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

winx' l l l I \|1 xll I I'I -hl l WITNE @irs /ff Afm.

L. C. SMITH. WIRE DRAWING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1903.

L. o. SMITH. WIRE DRAWING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 6, 1903.

'Patented Jan 3, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNEss'L'J M- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESTER C. SMITH, OF ROME, NEWAYORK, ASSIGNOR TO COE BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF TORBINGTON, CONNECTICUT.

WIRE-DRAWING MACHINE.

specification of' Letters Patent.

Application led July 6, 1903.` Serial No. 164,286.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LESTER C. SMITH, of Rome, in the countyof Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Drawing Machinos; and I do hereby declare that .thefol` made for starting the wire at a reduced speed from that of the block, and gradually increasing its speed until it attains the speed of the block, and in providing a conveniently, easily and quickly manipulated means for grasping the end of the wire, and means for automatically disconnecting the block from the power and promptly stopping the rotation of the block under its own momentum when the wire breaks or terminates.

My machine is also constructed to provide for the easy 'and convenient removal of the wire from the draw block, and to provide a friction means in the driving mechanism, which will allow the block to slip, owing to its inertia at starting. There is also provided a die holder adapted to move from the axle line of the draw block to the periphery thereof, and follow the lines of force applied in drawing the wire.

Another feature which may be specified at this point is the mechanism .for easily and conveniently stopping or starting the block by one lever, either for a regular run or for a trial pull. 4

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a machine, embodying the features of my improve'mnts. Fig. 2 is a, side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail View relating to the clutch for driving and Jstoppin the draw block. Fig. 4 is a detail View, s owing more particularly the mechanism for promptly stopping the rotation of the draw block after the power has been disconnected. Fig. 5 shows an oil check, constituting a portion of the mechanism last` mentioned.

Fig. 6 shows on an enlarged scale, partially in side elevation, .partially in sections, .the

l mechanism and to the letters of for stopping and starting the Patented Jan.3,1911. 4

draw block, and otherwise controlling its movements, and also the slip clutch or friction device for allowing the Ablock to slip, I

owing to its inertia in starting. Fig. 7 shows details of the block controlllng mechanism in a different position from that shown in v Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows the parts of the same mechanism from a point of view at right angles to that in which they are yshown -in Figs. 6 and 7. Figs. 9 and 9a show details in sections of the friction clutch before mentioned. Fig. 10 shows inside elevation, the die-holding mechanism in connection with the draw block. In this figure, 'the parts are shown in position duringthe regular drawing operation of the machine. Fig. 11 shows a plan View of the die-holding mechanism, together with a partial section of the ,draw block. In this figure is shown in dotted lines the position of the parts at the commencement of the drawing operation, and in full lines the parts are shown at the point when the wire has just been brought up to speed of the draw block. Fig. 12 shows an end view of the die-holding mechanism; that is to say, as seen from the right of Figs. l0 or 11. Fig. 13 shows a plan view of the vise for grasping the end of the wire, which vise is mounted in the draw block. Fig. 14 shows a longitudinal section of the vise., Fig. 15 shows a partial. cross section of the same.

Referring to the reference letters and iigures in a more particular description, 1 indicates an upright and overhanging frame, which is secured on a suitable solid base 2, and is provided with bearings 3 and 4, which receive an upright shaft 5, which carries and drives the draw block 6.` On the upper portion of the shaft 5, there is provided the comparatively large worm gear wheel (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2), whichwheel is driven by a Worm wheel not shown, mounted on shaft 8, whichshaft 8 carries the band .pulley 9. The wheel 7 is prefer'- ably inclosed in a casing lforined in a portion of the upper part of the frame. The gear wheel 7 is not secured direct on the shaft 5, but is secured to a sleeve 7a, which extends through the bearing 3, down to the friction clutch device hereinafter described, which is secured on the lower end of said sleeve.

Immediately below the bearing 3 is proing of the two main parts 11 and 12. The

v latter is secured to the sleeve 7, and the former adapted to turn free on the sleeve 7 a, and provided with clutch teeth 13 at yits lower enel. rlhe parts 11 and 12 are each provided with circumferential `flanges 11 and 12a respectively, between which'there is placed a friction grid 'plate 14, having a series of openings, in which are placed removable friction blocks 15 ofwood or other suitable' material, which blocks project to'some ,slight distance beyond the general surface of the plate 14. `Between the said flanges4 11a and 12, there is also placed another plate or ring 16, preferably of metal. For clamping. the 'parts 11 and 12 together, there is provided Va. ring 17, which encircles thc ange's 11a and 12a, and is provided with an inwardly turned flange or -shoulder por- --tion 17a. The shoulder 17a is provided with a friction face -18 of wood or other suitable material. At theupper edge, the ring 17 is internally screw-threaded at 19 t-o receive the clamping ring 20, whichring 20 is provided with ears 21, by means ofwhich it can be conveniently adjusted. The ring-17 isprovided` on its inner face at one or.more points with internally projecting. ribs 17", which engage in suitable. grooves or notches in the periphery of the grid or friction plate 14, andthe edge of iiange 12, causing these three parts to rotate together.

The hub of the part 11 is provided with outwardly projecting ribs 11b, which enter suitable notches in the inner edge ofV the plate 16, causingthese two parts to rotate together.

It will be seen that in the construction described, a large area of renewablefri'ction surface is provided on the parts 11 and 12 respectively, and that'the amount of fric-l tion can be nicely regulated by adjusting thefring 20, so as to clamp the parts more or less tightly together.. Splined to the shaft 5, below the frictio clutch device described, is a vertically -Inovable clutch sleeve 25. At the upper end, this sleeve is provided alternately-long and shortteeth 26 and 27, adapted to engage with the teethl 13 on the 4slip clutchdevice before described. The long teeth 26 also serve to perform a `further function, which will be referred to hereafter. the sleeve-252is also provided with yat least one clutch tooth or projection 28. This tooth is adapted, `when 'the sliding or clutch art 25 is in its'lowerposltion, to

enga `e wither strike the shortI lever 29, is pivoted on the shaft 5 immediately whic above the box 4.' The lever arm 29 is provided 1 for-stopping the 4rotation ofthe block 6'after the power has been disconnected. The mechanism for accomplishing thispurpose consists fof a cylinder@ pivot- The 'lower end of' sleeve ally connected at 31 to an arm or `fixed portion of the frame, and a piston 32 and piston rodv33, connecting with the outer end of lthe said arm 29. Between the head of the cylinder -30 and the piston head 32, is provided a spring 34, coiled around the piston 'rod and serving to move the piston rod and parts connected therewith into' the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Inconnection with lthe cylinder 30, there is provided a chamber 35, which is connected at one side of the piston 32 withthe cylinder by comparatively large and free passage Way 35a. At the head end of the cylinder, there is provided a comparatively 'small passage way, which is regulated or controlled by a. ball valve 36, and a regulating tending through the casing from the exterior. The chamber into which the dpassage' `35 and the connecting passages areto be kept full, or substantially full, of oil or some similar fluid. It will be noted that the piston rod 33 can-be drawn out against `the tension of the spring 34 with considerable rapidity, as the passage 35a and port 39, with the valve 40 arelof comparatively large area. On the return movement, however, which is produced by the expansion of spring 34, the movement is comparatively slow and can be nicely regulated, as the oil from the cylinder mustV ass through the opening controlled by t e valve 36, and thence-back bythe by-pass 38 into the chamber 35. f

For manuallycontrolling the application of power to, or disconnecting it from the draw block, or, in other words, for manually controlling the operation of the clutch mechanism 25, the followingmechanism is provided: A- lever 50 is pivotedon the frameat 51, and arranged so that one of its arms will engage on the under side of the flange head 25a of the, clutch part 25. To t-he other arm of the lever 50, is attached a link 52, which, together with the link 53, to which it is pivoted, and which linl` 53 is pivoted at 54 to a Yfixed portion of the `frame,

constitutes a toggle j ointcons'truction. The link 53 is provided .with an extension or arm 53, which is adapted to be engaged by the end of arm 55 of the operating lever 5G! Lever 56 islpivoted at 57 on a vertical pivot, which permits a sidewise, or lateral swinging movement. The pivot 57 is on the counter-weighing end of lever 58, pivoted to the frame` 59.V The lever 58 has a limited amount ofvertical swinging movement at screw 37, 4exf each end, and is attached at the forward end to the spring rod 60. The rod 60 passes in an upwardly direction through an opening in the pivot ljoint 61, between the lever and the link 52, and is provided above this joint with the compressible spring 62. Mouiitediin the pivot 54, beside the link 53, is an irregularly shaped lever 70, the upper end of which is attached to a bolt 71, which slides freely through an opening in the frame, and when projected toward the front, is adapted to engage with the before mentioned long clutch teeth 26. The lower end of the lever 70 is, also, adapted to be engaged by the end of arm before mentioned, to withdraw the bolt 71. The bolt 71 is projected so as to engage the clutch teeth 26 by a spring, which is contained in the vbolt chamber o at the rear end, and shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. For securing the bolt 71 in its re-tracted osition, there is provided a catch 74, wlnch consists of a lever heavy or weighted on the lower-arm, and pivoted to the frame 75. The lower end of the catch 7 1 is in position to engage the side of the operating lever 56, as clearly seen in Fig. 8. And, it may be here noted that the lever 56 passes through a yoke 58a, provided on the side of the lever 58. The operation of these parts is as follows: The normal position of the lever 56 is that shown by the upper dotted lines. The normal position of the lever 50, with the links 52 and 53, is that shown in full lines in Fig. 6. To raise the clutch part 25, and ythus connect the power to the draw block, the'operator depresses the lever 56 from the position in which it is shown in the upper dotted lines to the position inwhich'it is shown in the lower dotted lines. From the position in which it is shown in upper dotted line, to

the position inwhich it is shown in full line, the result is simply the compression of the spring 62. Immediately following the position shown in full lines, the arm 55 comes into operation, breaking the toggle joint between the links 52 and 53, letting the lever=50 move, and it is moved by the expansion of the spring 62, and the continued movement `of the lever 56 until the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 7, with the clutch part 25 carried into its upper and engagingv position. As soon as the 'lever 56 is released, Ithe parts are returned to their normal position under the influence of the counter-weight of lever 58. rThe clutch part 25 is held in its upper position by frictional engagement lof the clutch teeth 26 and 27 with the clutch teeth 18, as long as thereis resistance to the rotation of the block 6, caused by vthe draw of the wire.

lf the wire breaks or terminates, this frictional resistance ceases, and theclutch part 25 drops down by its own gravity, thus automatically discon' necting the power. A. spring might be provided for assisting this gravity movement, and in case the parts were employed ina horizontal machine (which I contemplate) a spring would become essential at this point. When the clutch part 25 drops down, as last described, the tooth 28, at the lower end of the clutch part, will'come into ,engagement withthe lever arm 29 of the stopping mechanism. As the block swings around, it is gradually brought to a halt by its power being imparted to the compression of the spring 34; when it has been brought to a halt, the block is rotated automatically back to a proper position to start drawing wire by the expansion of the spring 34 controlled by the fluid passages heretofore mentioned.

Thedraw block 6 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 5, preferably so as to be readily detachable, and is provided at its lower end with what I termv the drawing face 6a. At the lower end of the drawing face, there is provided a flange 6". lAt the upper end of the drawing face 6a, the size or diameter of the draw block'is diminished,

providing the bevel face 6. In the side ofI vise consists of a'frame 81, mounted on a.

pivot o'r stud 82,which extends downwardly into a suitable socket in the base of the recess in the side of the draw block, in which the vise is located. 0n the under side of the body 81 is rovided a stop projection 83, which is a apted to engage suitable shoulders of the draw block, and limit the swinging movement of the vise in either direction. The vise body 81 is chambered to receive the sliding jaws 84 and 85. rlhe gripping ends of which are adapted to project somewhat from the side of the body. The aws 84 and 85 are coupled together, so

as to slide back and forth in the body by a cross pin 86, which is secured in one of the jaws and passes through a suitable opening in the other jaw. For opening the jaws, when they are forced back or inwardly, there is provided a wedging piece 87, secured in the bottom-of the chamber of the vise body, and adapted to engage with inclined walls, proin an opening in theend of the vise body,

the outer walls of the jaws being inclined tocoperate therewith, and the jaws .are impelled to or toward the closed position by the spring 90. One of the side walls of the body of the vise is continued up and made somewhat to overhang, forming a handle 91, by means of whichthe vise may be con,- veniently manipulated.

' projectslightly beyond the generalcircum- Extending from the face or surface, on which the vise 80 is mounted, and adually narrowing, until it runs out in die cylindrical portion ofthe block, is the inclined way or track 6d. vThe general-surface of.

the block, immediately'back .of `this inclined way andat therece'ss, .which receives the vise, isvconsiderablyback or inside of the diameter of the cylindrical (portionjof the block, as `indicatedat aai iThis vlface against-ly which the wire isad-apted-to. draw, shortly. after thev machine starts', gradually runs rout until 4itstrikes the 'full di'ameterfof the block.l The arrangementoffthe vise onerth'e draw` block lis'such thatwhen the general direction; ofthe 'vise -is` in -line with the diameterof` the block, l'the gripping endsof the jaws will erenceof the draw block,l and afterward the block will swing ,intogpositiom s othat., the jaws will 'substantially line up -with the.l

surface :za-*against which the .wire draws.

TheY dieiholding ,mechanism consists 4of a base 100,'carrying al1-uprightstud, on which is pivotallymounted` the :hanger 101. -Tol the hanger 101 ispivoted ,on a transverse pivot 102 p the die-holding karm 103, `which .e has in its 'outer end 1703 a a socket'to receive adjustment, and adapted to support the arm 'the' drawing die 104.' On'the underside of' the' die-holding arm 103, adjacent to the die socket, ,there is provided a downwardly pro- I yjecting, cam projection 105. This cam pro-` jection' is adapted-to ride on a roller 106, 'mounted on a suitable base or stand 107.

This base or stand in an arm also carries an f upright set screw 108, vcapable of vertical 103 in operative position, and when it is not held or supporte by the cam projection v105 resting on the roller 106. The operation of these parts -of the machine are as follows: The operator swings his die-holding arm 103 into the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 11. In this position it is somewhat elevated above its normal working position, by reason of the cam proj ection`l05 rest-ing on the roller 106. It is'also lined up onthe line between the plivot of the stand 100 andthe axis of the raw block. Inthis position,

the die-holder and die are lined up in position with the jaws of the wire vise, the block having been stopped, and. returned to a proper position by' the mechanism heretofore described. In case the wire vise is not found in proper position, the' operator quickly brings it into .operation by hand manipulation. The vise" being pivoted to the draw block does not have to be supported by the operator and carriedl to the die, as in that vclass of machines where the tongs or' vise is attached by a chain tothe draw block, whichchain also has tobe drawn off or un- Wound-from the block. By the use of the. swinging die holderand the pivoted vise,

the two can be brought almost instantly into substantially touchin positions without practically ,any exertion by the operator.

The wire to be drawn, the end of which, of

course, has been reduced, as usual, is inserted through =the-die and forced in between the ]aws,the jaws 'retiring somewhat under the pressure, and allowing the end of the wire to ,fndposition betweenthe ends ofthe jaws. .The drawj block vfis then` started by manipu- `l'ating `fthe power controlling mechanism Jheretofore described. The direction of "the rotation of ftheblockfisgshown by the arrow in Fig. 11.,and while the' block may start oit at fullfsp'ee'd, the fwirei's started' at'this most critical lgpointofthe ldraw with a slow "and easy speed,4 which is gradually `accelerated. .untilthetwire -comes into the regular ldraw-V `ing position on the draw lface .aimmediately labove the ange 6b. `A s the wireis changed fin; the direction of the draw from .a line di- .rectly between the .pivot of the die-holder :andthe axis ofv the draw block to a line be` tween vthe pivot of the die-holder and the periphery of the draw block, thedie-holder 'swings around on yits pivot, following the lineof force, land,at the. same time, it drops downwardly,` bringing the -wire onto the .draw vface 6a..' The `'wire reaches the draw face 6.a at the angle, between it and the ange 6*and as the operationis continued, the

`wire ofthe last coil lcrowds thev preceding coils upwardly, .untilthey are eventually crowded olf 'from the face 63, and take -a position in loose coils` around the body of .the draw block above `they facey 6%' The upper end ofthe draw block may be provided with a flange plate 110, which will limit the upward movement of the coils of wire in case of accumulation of an excessiveamount. ,of wire on the block. When the wire brakes or comes to an end, the draw, block immediately stops by the mechanism heretoforev` described. The naturaly spring and tendency of the wire to uncoil will cause `from the clutch teeth 13. In order to do this, the operator swings the lever handlev 56 sidewise. This serves'to operate the catch 74 and nelease the lever70, which, in turn, releases 'the lbolt 71 and allowsit' to project toward the shaft 5 into the position shown in Fig. ,4, where it will engage with the next long or large tooth 26, which .comes to hand, and as the tooth passesv under the projecting end'of the bolt 71, the clutch part the disconnecting of the power from the block accomplished.

The starting and stopping mechanism is also capable of another use, as follows: In

drawing wire, it is often desirable to draw a short section and stop for the purpose of".

gagi'ng the wire or otherwise. rI o accomplish this, in starting the machine and depressing the starting lever 56, as before described, it is first swung outwardly. This out-ward swing serves to release the catch 74, and allow the bolt 71 to rojectu into its operative position as hereto ore, described. This outward swing also carriesthe end of the arm 55 to a position where it will not engage with the lever 70. Now, when the lever'56 is depressed, it will throw in the clutchpart 25 and start the block, but one of the teeth 26 immediately comes 1nto engagement with the bolt 7l and throws the clutch out, thereby promptly stopping the block.

It is evident that numerous modifications and changes in and from the construction herein described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in a wire drawing machine of a rotary block, having a drawing face on its periphery,a .vise pivoted on the block and located at one side of the drawing face and arranged to have the ripping jaws swing to the radial line o the block and swing-to carry the wire into the periphery of the block, a die and die-holder pivoted to swing from a point with the die contiguous to, and in line with, the jaws when in radial position', to a point with the axial line of the die directed tangenti'ally on the drawing face of the block, and means forsupportingthe die-holder in both of-said positions, substantially as set forth.4

2. The combination in a wire drawing inachine of a drawing block, having a flange at its lower end, means for rotating and supporting the bl c lr in a suspended position at support therefor, substantially as set forth.

The comb'nation` in a wire drawing machine of a drawing block, .having a ange at its lowerl end and a vise in its upper portion, and means'for rotating the block and supporting it in suspended position to allow the coil to drop od, while the end thereof is held in the vise, and be removed, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination in a wire drawing machine of a frame, a vertical shaft, a wire drawing block mounted on the vertical shaft in position to allow the coil to drop off and be removed, a driving sleeve mounted on the upper portion of the shaft and having clutch teeth at its lower end and a sliding clutch member mounted on the shaft, and adapted to engage with the`sleeve and to disengage by its own gravity, l

5. The combination in a wire drawing machine of a frame, a suspended shaft substantially as set forth.

mounted in the frame, a drawing block@ mounted onv the lower end of the shaft and supported in position/to allow the coll to ldrop off and be removed,ineans for driving the' block and means for stopping the block, and a'commo'n clutch member longitudinally movable on the shaft, adapted to connect with the driving lmechanism and disconnect from the stopping mechanism and vice versa, substantially as set forth.

6. Ina wire drawing machine, the combination of a frame, a vertical shaft, a draw block supported on the lower end of the shaft in suspended position to allow the coil to drop off and be removed, a driving sleeve mounted upon the upper portion of the shaft, having clutch teeth at its lower end, a sliding clutch member mounted on the'shaft, adjacent to said sleeve, and adapted to move longitudinally `on the shaft to engage and disengage with the driving mechanism, la stopping mechanism and means on the opposite end of said clutch member for engaging -the stopping mechanism and means for manually operating the clutch member, substantially as set forth.

7. In a wire drawing machine, the combination of a movable clutch member controlling the application of power to the wire drawing block, and the operating mechanism therefor consisting of the lever 50 pivoted to the frame, the toggle joint links 52 and 53, one of which, 52, is connected to the lever 50, the manually operated lever, the connection 60 between the lever and the joint between the lever 50 and link 52, and the spring 62 on the connection 6() and the breaking-down arm 55 of the manually operated` lever adapted to engage one of the toggle joint levers, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination Vin a driving mechanism for a wire drawing machine, of a shaft, a driven sleeve having clutch teeth, al longitudinally movable clutch member on the shaft, land having teeth adapted to engage with the said clutch teeth of the sleeve to be automatically disengaged when relievedof tension, and a mechanical throwout for the same clutch member, consisting of a,bolt adapted to be projected from the frame and inclined projections on the end of the clutch member with which the bolt is adapted to engage, substantially as set forth.

9. In a wire drawing machine, the combination of-'a wire block, a suspended spindle therefor, a `sleeve inclosing the' upper portion of said spindle, an upper clutch member on the lower end of said sleeve, a worm wheel on the upper end o f said sleeve, ay lower clutch member splined on said spindle,

.a driven shaft,a worm on said shaft meshing with said worm WheeLand meansfor operating the clutch.l

10. A wire 'drawing'machine comprising a die,l a revoluble vertically suspended wire block having a space beneath suliicient to permit lateral removal of a coil after beingformerd thereupon, and means adapted to connect the wire with the block'and capable of permitting release of the wire. at the-end of the drawing operation.

11. A wire ,drawing machine comprising a die, a revolublevertically suspended wire block having a4 space beneath suiicient to ermit lateral removal of a'co'il after being ormed thereon, and a swinging vise on the. block adapted to connect the Wire with Athe block andl to permit release of the wire at the end of the drawing operation.

12. A wire drawing machine comprising a de,a swiveled support therefor, means for preventmghorizontal movement of said support when 1n its lowest position in one direc- 13. A wire drawing machine comprising a l die, a support therefor pivoted so as to swing vertically, a revoluble vertically suspended wire block having a space beneath suiiicient to permit lateral removal of a coil after being formed thereu on, the pivot of said support being substantlally .in the plane of the` bottom of said block, and means adapted to connect the wire with the block and capable of permitting 4release of the wire at the end of the drawing operation.

I n Witness whereof, I have ailixed my signature, inpresence of two witnesses, thls 3rd dayof July 1903.

, LESTER c. SMITH. l Witnesses S.. E. J oNEs,

E. S. Hnssn. 

